Damien Brunner News

Brunner has cleared unconditional waivers and has mutually terminated his contract with the Devils.

Brunner leaves a $1.7 million contract on the table and will sign with HC Lugano (per swisshockeynews.ch). Brunner served as a healthy scratch in the last four games and had just seven points (2G / 5A) in 17 games this season.

Brunner missed the last two games after suffering a leg injury last Thursday vs. the Blue Jackets. He will play his first game against his former team tonight, when the Red Wings come to New Jersey. Brunner will skate on the second line with Patrik Elias and Adam Henrique. Brunner has 17 points (9G / 8A) in 42 games this season.

Brunner has missed the last 14 games with a sprained MCL but will slide back onto the Devils' third line with Dainius Zubrus and Patrik Elias tonight. Brunner has 14 points (8G / 5A) with a minus-6 rating and 70 shots on goal in 32 games in his first season with New Jersey.

Brunner has been out since December 20 because of a sprained MCL but was back on the ice skating on a regular line on Monday. He was skating with Patrik Elias and Dainius Zubrus so it looks like he will be back in tomorrow. The Swiss forward has 13 points (8G / 5A) in 32 games in his first season with the Devils.

Mattias Tedenby will enter the lineup in Brunner's place tonight vs. Los Angeles. Brunner has failed to record a point in the last 10 games. He had seven points in the first 10 contests but has cooled off considerably. The entire New Jersey offence has struggled and ranks 25th in scoring.

Brunner missed Saturday's contest with the Rangers due to general upper-body soreness. He returns to the lineup tonight with three goals and two assists in his first seven games with the Devils. He will skate on a line with Andrei Loktionov and Dainius Zubrus.

The New Jersey Devils have signed Damien Brunner to a two-year deal worth $5 million.

Brunner was in Devils camp on a professional tryout but has obviously impressed them enough to earn a contract. The 27-year-old had 12 goals and 14 assists in 44 games in his first NHL season with the Red WIngs.

Brunner joined the Detroit Red Wings last season and scored 12 goals and recorded 26 points in 44 games. Before July 5, Brunner reportedly turned down separate two- and three-year extensions from the Red Wings, worth $3.5 million a year.

Brunner missed Thursday's 4-2 loss to the Coyotes at Jobing.com Arena, and won't play tonight at Colorado, either.

Given the severity of the injury and the fact that the injury has been nagging Brunner for as long as his production has decreased, Brunner can be safely dropped for another player to help you down the stretch.